Erie contractor gets probation (Updated: 9:45 a.m.)

A former Erie contractor was sentenced this morning to serve 24 months probation on charges he collected deposits from 23 customers for a variety of home-improvement projects but failed to do the work or refund the money.

Martin Deniziak, 51, must also perform 100 hours of community service, Erie County President Judge Ernest J. DiSantis Jr. said.

"I am sorry for everything that happened," Deniziak said. "I tried as hard as I could." His lawyer, Philip Friedman, told the judge Deniziak's business failed in part because another employee stole from the business, which had been successful for decades.

Deniziak pleaded no contest to one count of theft involving 23 customers.

He has already paid the more than $54,000 restitution he owed.

The incidents happened between August 2011 and January at Deniziak's former business, Deniziak Siding, which went out of business in October, according to investigators.